Director: John Schlesinger
Original Release: 1995
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 3 stars out of 5
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| via Wikipedia |
Cold Comfort Farm, an adaptation of Stella Gibbons's 1932 novel of the same name, was originally produced for BBC television. It was also briefly released in North American theaters. Loads of well-known British actors are in the cast, though not all of them known so well in 1995. Kate Beckinsale stars with Joanna Lumley, Ian McKellen and Rufus Sewell in support.
Flora Poste, a teenage girl suddenly orphaned, moves in with strange relatives on a dilapidated farm. Flora sets about putting things as she feels they should be. I will admit upfront that I fell asleep part way through (very tired, not a commentary on the film) but saw enough to follow the story. For My Wife, it is close to the ideal movie: British period piece, witty dialogue and one of her favorite dreamies (Sewell). I enjoyed it, though I do think of it as more her sort of movie than mine.
One funny bit worth mentioning, in light of my own movie theme for the year: the film's score (by Robert Lockhart) is, for the most part, fine if unremarkable. However, as Seth, Sewell's character, is about to leave the farm to pursue his dream of Hollywood stardom, the theme music from Gone with the Wind plays. We should be getting to that one in a few weeks.
Is it worth watching it just for Kate? (Because Van Helsing wasn't!)
ReplyDeleteIt's worth watching for more than just Kate. It's a good movie - not one I feel the need to watch again but it's good.
DeleteHmm... Okay, I can't actually remember if I've seen that. I sort of think I did, but I can't remember a thing about it if so. I guess I'll have to figure that out.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a reliable source (again, my wife), the book is also highly amusing.
DeleteI stay away from period pieces for some reason...I have no idea why. I can read any era, it's just watching it that I avoid. But hey, I just saw your above comment; if it was a book first I would love to read that! I always like to read the books before I see the movie. :)
ReplyDeleteMy wife loves them. I'll happily watch them with her but am not likely to go out of my way for them.
DeleteI enjoyed this movie very much. It was fun.
ReplyDeleteI think remember a black and white version on PBS a long time ago.
Plus I really like Joanna Lumley.
cheers, parsnip
There was a 1968 BBC adaptation as well. I'm guessing that is the one of which you speak.
DeleteThis is one of my favorite films of all time. I own a copy! And I saw something nasty in the woodshed!
ReplyDelete"Sure you did, but did it see you, baby?"
DeleteI only just saw Gone with the Wind recently for the very first time. Thought it was great. :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this one - might be worth hunting it down though.
I haven't seen Gone with the Wind since I was a kid, actually. It's a required stop on my current stroll, though.
DeleteI don't know why I get amused when people fall asleep during films. My dad once said 'Armageddon' was the loudest movie he ever slept through. Then, of course, he had to make a crack about Bruce Willis always looking like he's just sucked on a lemon. (Or was that 'Deep Impact?')
ReplyDeleteIt was a while before Mock and I saw a movie together for which we both managed to stay awake. I think it was the Jack Reacher movie.
DeleteBruce does always look like he's sucking a lemon! I'm never going to be able to see him any other way now. And yes, he was in Armageddon, not Deep Impact.